JAMES WILSON LEE, attorney at law, was born at
Sharon, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, July 17, 1845, son of
Silas and Jane (Holmes) Lee, mention of whom
appears in this chapter. His boyhood days were passed under the
parental roof, and he received his primary education in the public
schools. In 1863 he entered Westminster College, at New Wilmington,
Pennsylvania, and in 1864 Allegheny College at Meadville, spending in both
institutions about three years. In April, 1867, he commenced reading law
with Myers & Kinnear, of Franklin, and was admitted to the bar in April,
1869. He immediately began practice in Franklin and continued alone until
July 1, 1872, when he formed a partnership with S. C. T. Dodd, which
continued until January 1, 1881, when Mr. Dodd removed to New York city to
accept the general solicitorship of the Standard Oil Company. Mr. Lee
practiced alone until July, 1886, at which time he became a member of the
firm of Lee, Smiley & Hastings, of Bradford. One year afterward the
present firm of Lee, Criswell & Hastings, with offices at Franklin and
Bradford, was organized, and has since been recognized as one of the
leading law firms in this section of the state.

In politics Mr. Lee has always been a Republican, and
during the past twenty years he has taken a prominent and active part in
the political affairs of Pennsylvania. Possessing an affable, engaging,
and courteous manner, and being a frank, earnest, and fearless speaker, he
soon won a host of friends who still remain his loyal supporters.
Naturally he became a leader in local politics, and in 1871 he was elected
to the city council, and in 1875 was chosen mayor of Franklin. By this
time he had become well known and popular throughout the county, and the
way was open for further advancement. In 1878 he was nominated and elected
by a very large majority to a seat in the state senate, and was re-elected
in 1882. During his first term he served on the committee on new counties
and county seats, and also the judiciary committee, and during his second
term he served on the judiciary committee and was chairman of the special
judi­ciary committee. In the debates and deliberations of the senate he
always took an active part, and was the acknowledged peer of the leading
members of that body. Since the expiration of his second term Senator Lee
has devoted his entire attention to the large and lucrative practice of
the firm of Lee, Criswell & Hastings, all of whom are able and successful
lawyers.

Mr. Lee has been twice married. His first marriage
occurred Jane 19, 1879, to Miss Laura M., daughter of F. D. Kinnear, of
Franklin. She died July 19, 1880, and he was again married October 13.
1883, to Miss Clara V. Kauffman, daughter of Senator C. S. Kauffman, of
Columbia, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.

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